Hello Fabulous 6

Hello 6 followers. I'm thinking I should start every entry out by saying Dear (my 6 follower's names). haha! I've probably lost most of you since my posts have been lacking. Sometimes in the midst of my day I think of a really interesting topic I'd like to blog about. I think of all these really profound things to say and I get really excited to get home & start typing. Then by the time we're done with dinner, by the time Sydney is fast asleep & Stephen is in his "man cave", I just don't have the energy or the "words". My hands are too achy to type, my mind is garbled with things like we're out of trash bags or that I need to send my cousin's wedding RSVP back before the deadline. I top off the evening loading the dishwasher & taking a quick bath in the tub before bed. I know I should be using my free time to be doing all the creative stuff I keep talking about "wanting" to do...but if only I had the energy. At least I've kept my commitment to exercise & eat (mostly) better. I've been keeping up with my walking and I am down another 10 pounds. I'm loosing slowly but I am at a much healthier weight and I am feeling more like myself then I have in a long time. I am starting to recognize myself in photos.

I'm loving that Summer is just about here. Sydney & I spend the afternoons in our yard or at the park and I am loving it. She's been an easier baby lately. She still has her "feisty" moments...but we are having fun together. She is so funny. I peeked in her room one morning to see her trying to give"Roo" her paci. She was putting it to his mouth & making a sucking sound. The cuteness was too much! She has such a BIG, sweet, loving personality.

Tomorrow she has a "performance" at school. The older kids will be doing a talent show type thing & they have invited the babies & toddlers (with thier moms) to come on stage to do a little song. I'm imagining her crying when she sees all the people in the audience. We will see! Wish us luck. :) I'll post photos soon...& maybe an interesting and profound blog post will follow.

P.S. Check the link. This is my HOPE.

Mi Vida Loca has come between me & my blog. Yes, life has been crazy & busy & even more crazy. Sydney has become very good at keeping me on my toes & bossing me around. She's almost 1, but going on 13. She has been really "feisty" lately & I'm hoping it's a stage. She will not let me leave the room without crying. I am not sure if I should ignore it or tend to her. I want her to feel secure, yet I want her to gain a small bit of independence. She cries & thrashes around like a alligator when I have to change her and she fusses at restaurants and shopping trips. She used to be so easy! :sigh: Despite her giving me a hard time now & then, she is so sweet and lovable. She loves to give kisses, she squeals with delight when she sees dogs or Elmo and she is so smart and focused. Her infant teacher says she is the most focused baby she's ever worked with...and she has over 30 years of experience! She isn't saying anything new that we can understand - but she talks a ton of baby talk. She responds to commands very well & will get Elmo is we ask her to. She loves music, being outside and she is a big daddy's girl. I love her so much. I can't believe she is going to turn ONE is less then a week. What a wonderful year this has been. Right now we are preparing for her 1st birthday party in 2 weeks. There is so much to do! I'm excited though. It will be the 1st party I've ever had...well...um...except for several raunchy bachelorette parties. ;-) This is totally different though...We're going to be host to 70 people in our new home. Yikes! As promised I'll post some of the decor once I charge up my camera. Hopefully Sydney will go easy on me this week and I'll have time to post photos. By the way, I am down another 4lbs. So, slowly but surely I am getting closer to my goal weight. Whoo hoo...Chasing after Sydney is really burning calories. haha!...Well I'm off to bed to get some much needed Zzzzzs.

Weigh-in Tuesday

Week 1

Pounds lost: 1 (sad and lonely pound)

I feel like a huge failure! I really worked my butt off & I only lost one stinkin' pound. I ate small portions of healthy food & I walked everyday but Sunday. I even managed to go to a birthday party & not eat cake. That is an accomplishment in itself! Tomorrow I am going to try starting The Shred again. I'm so dissapointed. Ugh...Tomorrow IT'S ON!

Happy 11 months

My beauty!

Sydney is walking! She started walking 2 days before she turned 11 months old and a week after her bottom teeth broke through. The last couple of weeks have been full of amazing milestones. She gets more beautiful everyday. She is such a sweet, loving, feisty little thing. Walking is bittersweet...It's exciting but yet she is moving closer & closer to toddlerhood.

All these milestones have wreaked havoc on Sydney's sleep schedule. She has been fighting her naps & waking up many times throughout the night. The nighttime routine is the same. I go in & comfort her, rearrange blankets, give her her paci and hand her Roo. Then she falls immediately back to sleep, I get back in bed, start to fall asleep and it happens all over again. This happens up to 7 times a night. Every time I hear her cry out I can feel my blood pressure rise. It's been physically and mentally draining. I can't really let her cry because Stephen wakes at 4am for work. I think this weekend we're going to have to try sleep training again. I have really put my own well being on the back burner lately and things are about to change. I have changed my diet, started to exercise and hopefully a peaceful night's sleep will follow. I have 20 lbs to lose and I am motivated by more then just vanity now. I really need to get healthy. Follow me on this journey. I weighed in this past Tuesday and I'll post weekly updates here.

In my quest to nurture my creative self, I photographed the newest member of our family. My niece, Alexis Sunshine. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Isn't she cute?

P.S. Despite the sadness of Sydney becoming a toddler...I am so excited for her 1st birthday party. I went to Micheal's & Dollar Tree yesterday and bought craft stuff to make Zoo themed decorations. I can't wait to give you all a "preview". Eek! I'm excited! Did I already say that?